BRITISH

[ Laurence Irving, Hollywood set designer. ] Two Typed Letters Signed ('Laurence' and 'Laurence Irving') to 'Teddy' [ set designer 'Edward Carrick',i.e. Edward Craig ], regarding the film industry and his membership of the Society of Art Directors.

Author: 
Laurence Irving (1897-1988), Hollywood set designer, artist and RAF Squadron Leader, grandson of the actor Sir Henry Irving [ 'Edward Carrick' [ Edward Craig (1905-1998) ],; Society of Art Directors ]
Publication details: 
Both on his letterhead, 11 Apple Tree Yard. 23 August and 24 November 1949.
£220.00

Both items in good condition, lightly-aged. ONE: 2pp., 4to. Having returned from 'a rather long painting expedition to France' he finds that 'circumstances have arisen in regard to the administration of the Society' [ the Society of British Film Art Directors and Designers, of which Craig was a leading light], and in the light of these circumstances Irving feels compelled to resign. 'It is [...] unlikely that I shall design any more films.

[ Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, as Commander at Aldershot. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Arthur') to 'Lloyd', strongly urging the suit of 'Lt: Col: Hay'.

Author: 
Prince Arthur (1850-1942), Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, son of Queen Victoria, Governor General of Canada and Commander at Aldershot, 1893-1898
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Head-Quarter Office, Aldershot. 13 July 1897.
£60.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, with traces of tissue mount running along one edge. Addressed to 'My dear Lloyd'. He is sending on Mrs Hay's letter, and asks his 'intentions with regard to Lt: Col: Hay - when he left Aldershot it was understood that the Command of the 2nd. Bde. Divn. Field Artillery would be kept open for him, but now Major Hall has been appointed Hay has lost his command here'. He praises Hay as 'so good an officer & has done such good work here that I am very anxious to help him' He suggests him for another appointment at Okehampton.

[ Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, artist. ] Autograph Note Signed ('L Alma Tadema') to 'Mr. Sparks', declining an invitation.

Author: 
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema [ Lourens Alma Tadema ] (1836-1912), Anglo-Dutch artist
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 10 Park Street, Windsor. 15 July 1885.
£50.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The note reads: 'Dear Mr. Sparks | I am so sorry to be unable to comply with your request, being previously engaged for the 23d. inst | yours sincerely | L Alma Tadema'.

[ John Pye, landscape painter. ] Manuscript Letter to fellow-artist Walter Field, written by an amanuensis and signed 'John Pye', giving his opinion of a copy of Turner's 'England and Wales' being offered for sale at Christie's.

Author: 
John Pye (1782-1874), English landscape painter [ Walter Field (1837-1901), artist ]
Publication details: 
17 Gloucester Crescent, NW [ London ]. 3 March 1871.
£135.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, laid down on part of a leaf from an album. He writes that he has 'carefully looked over the Copy of "Turner's England and Wales," that will be offered for Sale at Christies rooms on Tuesday next', and that while he finds it 'in all respects good of its kind, and applicable to the Library of a gentleman', it is 'not so well applicable to the Studio of an Artist, whose aim is to acquire from it, all the knowledge that a more refined class of impressions of places might impart to him'.

[ Sir Francis Chantrey, English sculptor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('F Chantrey') giving instructions for the erection of a statue to an unnamed recipient.

Author: 
Sir Francis Chantrey [ Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey ] (1781-1841), English sculptor
Publication details: 
Belgrave Place [ London ]. 23 April 1836.
£100.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, laid down on a leaf removed from an album. The letter begins by directing the recipient to 'place the head stone upon the figure if you intend to place it before the rest of the figure is erected'. If the recipient's 'previous arrangements did not contemplate putting the whole figure together' he asks him not to do as he has directed. Chantrey is 'desirous that the figure should be in the best possible condition to be looked at' before the next Wednesday morning.

[ Sir John Watson Gordon, artist. ] Part of Autograph Letter Signed ('John Watson Gordon') to unnamed recipient, regarding a visit to Edinburgh and his 'kind and generous sentiments'.

Author: 
Sir John Watson Gordon (1788-1864), Scottish portrait painter and President of the Royal Scottish Academy
Publication details: 
123 George Street, Edinburgh. 21 February 1858.
£45.00

Previously laid down in an autograph album. On both sides of a 12 x 10.5 cm. piece of paper, cropped down from 12mo. In fair condition, but with some loss of text due to cropping, and with traces of glue on first page (i.e. the page without the signature). On the first page he approves the postponement of the recipient's visit to Edinburgh, and on the second he expresses admiration for 'the kind and generous sentiments displayed on both sides and described with such perfect simplicity' in 'the presented papers'.

[ Sir Joseph Chamberlain, Liberal statesman. ] Autographh Letter Signed ('J. Chamberlain') to 'Sir Robert'

Author: 
Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914), English politician, first a Liberal, then a Liberal Unionist
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Highbury, Moor Green, Birmingham. 26 December 1903.
£50.00

Although never Prime Minister, Chamberlain was described by Churchill as the man 'who made the weather' in the House of Commons, and was leader of the Liberal opposition for a few months in 1906. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged and ruckled paper. He thanks the recipient for accepting his invitation, and considers that his 'assistance will greatly strengthen the commission'.

[ Herbert Henry Asquith, Liberal Prime Minister. ] Autograph Note Signed ('H. H. Asquith') to W. J. Fisher, agreeing to join a committee appealing for help for the family of Harold Frederic.

Author: 
Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith [ H. H. Asquith ] (1852-1928), English Liberal Prime Minister
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 20 Cavendish Square, W. [ London ] 15 November 1898.
£55.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'My dear Sir, | I shall be very happy to be one of the committee who are to appeal for help for the family of the late Harold Frederic.' The letter relates to a Victorian scandal. In 1884 Frederic (1856-1898) had come to England with his wife and five children as the London correspondent of the New York TImes. He set up a second household with Kate Lyon, with whom he had a further three children. Lyons was a Christian Scientist, and when Frederic suffered a stroke in 1898, she tried to cure him by faith healing.

[ Carl Haag, artist. ] Autograph Note Signed to Edward Baker, agreeing to accept a gift from 'Mr: Morris'.

Author: 
Carl Haag (1820-1915), Bavarian artist settled in England, court painter to the duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Publication details: 
Ida Villa, 7 Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead, NW, on cancelled letterhead of 16 New Burlington Street [ London ]. 28 November 1867.
£55.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly-aged, with traces of glue from mounting on blank reverse. Reads: 'Sir, | In reply to your polite note of the 22nd. inst:, I am quite prepared to receive the "Camel Coats" [?] with which my friend Mr: Morris has kindly bethought me, and I shall thank you for their delivery.'

[ W.P. Frith ] Studio Photograph of William Powell Frith, inscribed by him, "To [Missie?] | from W P Frith Oct.9. 1880".

Author: 
W.P. Frith [ William Powell Frith ] (1819 –1909). Artist
Frith
Publication details: 
Elliott & Fry, [1880?].
£225.00
Frith

Studio Photograph, c.15 x 10.5, laid down on slightly larger card with photographers printed at base, faintly speckled, good condition. Image of head and upper body, not found on Google Images.

[ Lord Henry Bentinck. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Henry Bentinck').

Author: 
Lord Henry Bentinck [ Lord Henry William Scott-Bentinck ] (1804-1870), Conservative statesman
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£23.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Good firm signature. Written in response to a request for an autograph, and reading 'if you wish | Your's sincerely | Henry Bentinck'.

[ Sidney Morgan, English film director ] Autograph Letter Signed to fellow film-director Percy Nash, regarding the British Association of Film Directors and the 'great fight to obtain The Quota'.

Author: 
Sidney Morgan (1874-1946), English film director, who acted for Alfred Hitchcock [ [ Percy Nash [ Percy Cromwell Nash ] (1869-1958), film director and dramatist; Cinematograph Films Act of 1927 ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the British Association of Film Directors, The Players Club, Denman Street, London. 30 May 1927.
£90.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Nash is named on the letterhead as the Association's president, and Morgan as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. The letter begins: Dear Percy / | For various reasons we did not get a largely attended meeting on Friday, but the better feeling between members seems still to grow.' Nash's 'protracted illness' has clearly necessitated his stepping down as president, and '[a]fter considerable discussion it was decided to ask Pearson & Elvey [i.e. George Pearson (1875-1973) and Maurice Elvey (1887-1967)] to be President & Vice with myself to continue'.

[ Brian Aherne, British Hollywood actor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Brian Aherne') to 'Mr. Cathrey', regarding an invitation to take part in a cricket match.

Author: 
Brian Aherne [ William Brian de Lacy Aherne ] (1902-1986), British Hollywood actor
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 703 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California. 27 May 1942.
£25.00

1p., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He has 'not played cricket for twenty years, so you had better not count on me!' He will 'try to turn up as a spectator', and if Cathrey will send him a card, he will make 'a special effort to do so at Mesa, whichh I have visited several times'.

[ Bryan Forbes, film director. ] Autograph Card Signed to Ken Sephton, regarding a letter and its 'nostalgic reference'.

Author: 
Bryan Forbes [ John Theobald Clarke ] (1926-2013), English film director
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£25.00

In blue ink on one side of a 10 x 16 cm piece of white card with Forbes's name printed at the head. In very good condition. He thanks him for the 'kind and interesting letter': 'I particularly liked your nostalgic reference to snak where I had many a meal "on the slate"!'

[ Lord Harmsworth, press baron. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Alfred Harmsworth') to 'Mr. Fisher', explaining that he cannot attend a meeting as he has to 'attend to my newspapers all day long'.

Author: 
Lord Northcliffe [ Alfred Charles William Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe (1865-1922) ], press baron, owner of the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Daily Mail, Temple, E.C. [ London ] 29 November 1898.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'Dear Mr. Fisher | I am so sorry I cannot attend the meeting. Unfortunately, I am absolutely obliged to attend to my newspapers all day long. | Yours faithfully | Alfred Harmsworth'. The Daily Mail was little more than two years old at the time of this note.

[ Board of the Inland Revenue, Excise Department, London.] Late-Victorian Manuscript Notebook, compiled by several parties, with sections of questions and definitions, and others treating allowances, 'Liverpool Allowances' and 'Quarantine Practice'.

Author: 
A. C. Collyer [ Board of the Inland Revenue, Excise Department, London ]
Publication details: 
[ Board of the Inland Revenue, Excise Department, London. Circa 1891. ]
£400.00

169pp., 12mo. Covering the whole of a ruled notebook in black waxed cloth binding. In fair condition, aged and worn, in like binding with some damage to spine. Ownership signature of 'A. C. Collyer' on front free endpaper, with the word 'Notes' written under it, and beneath that a seal (hand holding a sword) in red wax. The notebook has been compiled by at least three different parties (with a couple of notes in shorthand), and is certainly the work of instructors rather than students, possibly Scottish.

British Army Boer War map of 'Melmonth [ i.e. Melmoth ]': 'Sheet No. 37' in 'Transvaal (Major Jackson's Series)'.

Author: 
Major H. M. Jackson, Royal Engineers [ Field Intelligence Department, Pretoria; Boer War map: Melmoth, Transvaal ]
Publication details: 
[ British Army ] Field Intelligence Department, Pretoria, 1901. 'Photo-lithographed - Pretoria - June 1901 | Mapping Section - Field Intelligence Dept - Army Head Qrs.'
£80.00

Photolithographically printed in black on one side of a 51 x 63 cm. piece of cloth, folding into a 16.5 x 11 cm. packet, in green printed cloth covers backed with card. In good condition, lightly-aged, with minor signs of age and wear. Cover reads: 'Transvaal. | (Major Jackson's Series). | Sheet No. 37. | Melmonth. | Field Intelligence Department. | Pretoria, 1901.' Signed in pencil on front cover 'G S Scovell | Cam Hrs.' In top left-hand corner of map: 'No. 37'. In bottom left-hand corner: 'Compiled in Surveyor General's Office - Pretoria underdirection [sic] of MAJOR H. M. JACKSON R.E. Mch.

[ W.P. Frith ] Studio Photograph of William Powell Frith, inscribed by him, "To [Missie?] | from W P Frith Oct.9. 1880".

Author: 
W.P. Frith [ William Powell Frith ] (1819 –1909). Artist
Publication details: 
Elliott & Fry, [1880?].
£225.00

Studio Photograph, c.15 x 10.5, laid down on slightly larger card with photographers printed at base, faintly speckled, good condition. Image of head and upper body, not found on Google Images.

[ Victor Pasmore, artist and architect. ] Autograph Card Signed ('Victor'), thanking Basil [ Jonsen ] for his appreciation.

Author: 
Victor Pasmore [ Edwin John Victor Pasmore ], English abstract artist and architect
Publication details: 
With letterhead, 12 St German's Place, Blackheath, London. 1 June 1965.
£56.00

Written on one side of a 10 x 14.5 cm card, beneath a stylish 'modern' letterhead. Somewhat aged and worn. The message reads: '1/6/65 | Dear Basil, | Very many thanks indeed for your letter - believe me your appreciation is tremendously valued. | All good wishes | Victor'. The recipient is identified in another hand on the reverse, with an address and directions.

'1st. Battn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. | Drill Programme.' [ Printed card with autograph note by Scovell stating authorship. ]

Author: 
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders [ Lieut-Col. G. J. S. Scovell [ George Julian Selwyn Scovell ] (1881-1948), deputy Director-General of Recruiting, 1918; General Secretary of National Liberal Party ]
Publication details: 
Without date or place, but dated by Scovell to 1910.
£125.00

Printed on both sides of a 15 x 11 cm piece of card. In good condition, lightly-aged. Unsigned autograph note by Scovell on reverse: 'Drawn up by me when adjt.

[ H. H. L. Malcolm, as Lieutenant-Colonel, 2nd Cameron Highlanders. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Huntly Malcolm') to G. J. S. Scovell, discussing his desire for an exchange from the first battalion, and his own polo accident.

Author: 
Brigadier-General H. H. L. Malcolm [ Brigadier General Henry Huntly Leith Malcolm ] (1860-1938) [ Lieut-Col. George Julian Selwyn Scovell (1881-1948), 1st Cameron Highlanders ]
Publication details: 
From Fort-Manoel [ Malta ], on letterhead of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders ('Egypt'). 22 December 1903.
£90.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. He begins by telling him that there is 'no chance of an exchange to this Battalion, all were asked lately and said they did not wish to exchange to the 1st Battn.' He suggests that Scovell's 'best chance' is to 'fill a vacancy caused by a Promotion', in which case he may be 'brought in instead of their gazetting a youngster to us'.

[ James Clarke Hook, RA, English painter. ] Signed ('Jas: C. Hook') Autograph transcription of J. R. Lowell's lines on Abraham Lincoln.

Author: 
James Clarke Hook (1819-1907), English painter, Member of the Royal Academy
Publication details: 
On letterhehad of Silverbeck, Churt, Farnham, Surrey. 23 October 1895.
£38.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Written in response to a request for an autograph, and signed at foot 'Yours Truly | Jas: C. Hook'. Above this, beneath the heading 'Lincoln', Hook has transcribed twelve lines from 'Ode Recited at the Harvard Commemoration, July 21 1865', beginning 'He knew to bide his time, | And can his fame abide,' and with 'J. R. Lowell.' at the end.

[ George Adams, English sculptor. ] Autograph draft of invitation by 'Mr. George S. Adams, Sculptor' to a private view, with separate piece of paper carrying autograph transcription of poetical quotation.

Author: 
George Adams [ George Gammon Adams ] (1821-1898), English sculptor
Publication details: 
Both items undated. Draft invitation giving address 126 Sloane Street [ London ].
£90.00

Draft invitation on both sides of landscape 12mo (11 x 18 cm) piece of paper. In fair condition, lighly aged. A rough draft, apparently for the design of a printed card. The main effort, on one page, reads: 'Mr. Geo. G. Adams, Sculptor, | Solicits the honor of a call, from | [wavy line] | to inspect his | [two wavy lines] | Private view on the [wavy line] | 126, Sloane Street.' There is the start of another attempt on the reverse. The poetical quotation is on one side of a 5 x 18 cm strip of paper, laid down on a paper backing. In fair condition, aged and worn.

[ Edward Hodges Baily, sculptor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('E H Baily'), giving his 'charges for Busts in Marble'.

Author: 
Edward Hodges Baily (1788-1867), English sculptor
Publication details: 
11 York Place, Portman Square. 23 July 1855.
£120.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to an unnamed recipient. He gives his prices for 'a head in Marble', a 'Torso bust', and a 'pale draped bust'. Docketed on reverse with biographical details in a nineteenth-century hand.

[ Will Till, South African photographer. ] Long Autograph Letter Signed to English royal photographer Marcus Adams, discussing his work, methods and circumstances.

Author: 
Will Till (c.1893-1971), photographer, 'the greatest South African pictorialist' [ Marcus Adams (1875-1959), English royal photographer ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Will Till, Hon. F.R.P.S., "Bryro", 3 Grays Terrace, Kensington, Johannesburg, South Africa. 2 July 1956.
£120.00

4pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly-aged and worn. Long closely-written letter, friendly and informative. Topics include the breaking of his right arm, the weather in Johannesburg ('I do not take my landscapes in winter - but our Transvaal summer is my time to operate with the camera to record the trees - the clouds & all the mood that goes with it'), Adams's support for 'the London Salon panel of prints'.

[ Minnie Walters Anson, English miniaturist. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed to 'Miss Newcomb' [ secretary of Marcus Adams Limited], regarding miniatures made from photographs of children taken by her brother-in-law Marcus Adams

Author: 
Walters Anson [ Minnie Walters Anson ] (1875-1959), RMS [ Royal Miniature Society ], miniaturist [ Lambeth School of Art ], wife of artist Chris Adams (1867-1960), brother of Marcus Adams
Publication details: 
Both on her letterhead ('WALTERS ANSON, R.M.S.'), 48 Parkstone Avenue, Parkstone, Dorset. 6 and 11 February 1950.
£180.00

Both letters 2pp., 12mo. Both in good condition, lightly-aged, the second with the first page lightly crossed through in pencil. The letters relate to work done for the firm of her brother-in-law Marcus Adams (described in his Times obituary as 'the outstanding child photographer of his day and photographer to the Royal Family for more than 30 years'), at 43 Dover Street, Mayfair. She begins the first letter by explaining that she has 'endeavoured to make the Woodall miniature like the snapshot, but unless they are really satisfied I had better do another.

[ Rev. Robert Anderson Jardine, the man who married the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. ] Album of newspaper cuttings and other material, with signed note on front cover: 'PROTESTANT CUTTINGS | PAMPHLETS & general items: | R. Anderson Jardinee'.

Author: 
Rev. Robert Anderson Jardine (1878-1950), Vicar of St Paul's, Darlington, who performed the 1937 wedding ceremony of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor
Publication details: 
Cuttings dating from 1910 and 1911, and 1930.
£200.00

Jardine, dubbed by the press 'the Poor Man's Pastor', travelled to France to perform the ceremony. As a result, his vestry committee resigned and he resigned his living, emigrating to the United States. The cuttings are laid down on 19pp of a Victorian folio volume, in superior brown calf binding, tooled in gilt, with marbled endpapers, and 'HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS' stamped on the spine. As the title on the spine indicates, the volume contains the manuscript of a harmony of the gospels, covering 127pp, with the text written around columns of printed text cut from a printed bible.

[ Len Harvey, British boxer, world light-heavyweight champion. ] Autograph Inscription with signature ('Len. Harvey.').

Author: 
Len Harvey [ Leonard Austen Harvey ] (1907-1976), English boxer, British champion at three weights, and world light-heavyweight champion, 1939-1942
Publication details: 
No place. January 1934.
£45.00

On one side of 9 x 11 cm piece of paper. In good condition, on lightly-spotted paper. Reads: 'I shall keep your clever little ode. Congratulations and good wishes. | Len. Harvey. | Cruiser & Heavyweight Champion | Jan. 1934.'

[ Sir Frederick Augustus Abel, chemist. ] Manuscript note, signed by Abel ('F. A. Abel') to Sir Walter Buller.

Author: 
Sir Frederick Augustus Abel (1827-1902), British chemist, Lecturer in Chemistry at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich [ Sir Walter Lawry Buller (1838-1906), New Zealand ornithologist ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies and India, London. 19 December 1893.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, laid down on leaf removed from album. The note reads: 'The form of receipt is in the printers' hands. Addressed to Buller at the South Kensington Hotel.

[ Richard St John Tyrwhitt, art critic. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('R St John Tyrwhitt') to 'Miss Bosworth', presenting a copy of his 'A Handbook of Pictorial Art' to her. With inscribed copy of the book.

Author: 
Rev. R. St. John Tyrwhitt, M.A. [ Richard St John Tyrwhitt (1827-1895), English art critic, cleric and supporter of John Ruskin ]
Publication details: 
Lettter dated 29 March 1869, no place. Book published at the Clarendon Press, Oxford. 1868.
£150.00

Letter: 1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Attached by the blank second leaf of the bifolium to the reverse of the front free endpaper of the book. Envelope addressed by Tyrwhitt to 'Miss Bosworth | Parks Town' tipped-in beside the letter. He is not sure whether she has a copy of 'my art-book', which she mentioned 'the other day'. 'If not, will you kindly accept of this one, tho I fear it is not a very good one in the illustrations?' Book: [xv] + 480pp., 8vo. Sixteen-page November 1868 publisher's catalogue at rear.

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